by Sharron Gough
Lek Trek Chair
Grasslands have sometimes been referred to as the “silent resource.” If we think of it at all, we usually think of grass as lawns, cow food, a place to golf. Or the stuff that fills in the blanks between important items like cities, rivers, and forests. The role of grasslands as habitat, banks of biodiversity, and builders of rich soils, is vaguely understood at best. The Missouri Prairie Foundation hopes to make some improvements on that understanding. The “Silent Resource” is about to be given a voice.
Beginning July 21, the Foundation will sponsor the Lek Trek, a walk across the state to raise awareness of the importance of grasslands. “Lek” is another name for the booming grounds of the greater prairie chicken — a bird recently placed on Missouri’s endangered species list, and adopted as the campaign mascot. But the Lek Trek is not just a walk for prairie chickens. The Lek Trek is an effort to raise awareness of the many grassland species that are struggling to survive. It will help people understand why the preservation of wildlands is important to humans. And it will introduce to Missourians the Grasslands Coalition, a conservation group that provides assistance to landowners interested in improving grasslands.
Globally, one in eight plant species is in danger of extinction. Plant biodiversity is the primary source of our medicines, clothing, and shelter. It is also the source of the genetic diversity important to the long–term viability of our food crops. In the United States, 29% of our flora are in danger. Two–thirds of those species are close relatives of crop plants, bearing genetic material worth millions of dollars to agriculture, and potentially critical to the very survival of our crop plants. Sustaining the biodiversity of our wildlands — be they forest, dessert or grassland — is vitally important if only from the standpoint of securing the safety of our own food sources.
Of all the biomes in the US, prairie has been the most altered. Once the agricultural potential of prairie soil was understood, it took less than one hundred years for a million square miles of prairie to become the bread basket to the world. Our native grasslands, consisting of over 600 species of plants, once covered 40% of the continent. Less than one percent of it remains today. In Missouri, less than one–half of one percent of the original tall grass prairie remains. And the species that depend on it for survival are struggling.
In the last thirty years, meadowlarks have declined by 55%. Bobolinks are down by 60%. Grasshopper sparrows are down by 80%. If the prairie chicken continues at its present rate of decline, the bird will be gone from Missouri by 2005. Many factors contribute to the decline of grassland species. Some, such as farming practices in South America, or storms in the Gulf of Mexico during migrations, seem beyond our immediate control. Others, such as improved grassland and roadside management, are not.
The Grasslands Coalition is an alliance of Missouri’s natural resource agencies, private conservation groups, hunting groups, and landowners concerned over the loss of plant and animal species. The Coalition assists landowners with improving grasslands by providing manpower, funds, and technical information as needed. The Coalition has begun work in nine focus areas across the state, using volunteer work days, grants, and cost share programs. However, few people know of the Grassland Coalition, or the significance of their work. Hence, the Lek Trek.
The Lek Trek is 565 miles of opportunity to learn about grasslands. There are sixteen special events planned; one for each weekend of the walk. They highlight the importance of healthy grasslands to our culture, our economy, our wildlife and our long–term well–being. Event activities include Native American dance exhibitions, Prairie Days, hog roasts, Pioneer Days, settlers games, pioneer crafts, live music, square dances, ice cream socials, historical reenactments, storytellers, hayrides, parades, fairs, Grasslands Coalition exhibits, and presentations about prairie and grassland management.
The Lek Trek will also feature eighteen Learner Days, when naturalists will join the walk to share their knowledge of grassland species and ecology. Learner Days take place on public grasslands or along roadsides rich in prairie vegetation. Presentations on prairie and other grassland topics will also be offered at a number of urban facilities. School groups, scouts, 4H, and anyone interested in learning about grasslands are encouraged to use Learner Days as outdoor classrooms.
The Lek Trek begins July 21, at the Iowa line near Hatfield. Walkers will travel seven miles to the west end of the Dunn Ranch, where the Lek Trek kickoff event will occur on July 22. A different team will walk each day, accompanied by the Lek Trek van all the way to Prairie State Park near Liberal. A second group of walkers beginning at the Arkansas line on September 23 will arrive in time to rendezvous with the first group at the Prairie Jubilee, the final event of the Lek Trek, on October 14.
The public is invited to join the Lek Trek at least two days each week; once for the Saturday Public Walk Events, and again on Learner Days. Those wishing to join a core walking group for other days may contact Dennis Figg, Missouri Department of Conservation, at (573)751–4115, ext. 3309. All walkers are encouraged to buy a mile. Proceeds will support the work of the Grasslands Coalition. Those who contribute $50 or more will win prizes such as tee–shirts, caps, prairie chicken pins, and the Tallgrass Prairie book. Both walkers and funds are needed. However, contributors are not required to walk, and walkers are not required to contribute!
Join the effort and walk the walk for Missouri grasslands. For more information about the Lek Trek, visit our website at www.lektrek.org.
Call the Lek Trek line at (816)561–8735.
Or contact Sharron Gough at: (417)876–5226"
goughs@mail.conservation.state.mo.us
Lek Trek Events
Lek Trek Learner Days
July 22 Dunn Ranch
July 27 Grand Trace CA
July 29 Bethany Fair Grounds
August 2 Helton CA
August 5 Trenton Fair Grounds
August 7 Dolan Farm
August 12 Chillicothe (under development)
August 19 Lexington (tentative)(under development)
August 26 Blue Springs (Burr Oak Woods NC)
August 29 Powell Gardens
August 31 Warrensburg
September 2 Knob Noster State Park
September 5 Katy Trail at B
September 9 Cole Camp
September 14 Katy Trail (Calhoun)
September 16 Clinton
September 19 La Due
September 22 Taberville Prairie
September 23 Taberville (Town & Prairie)
September 28 El Dorado Springs
September 30 El Dorado Springs
October 5 Camp Clark
October 7 Nevada Fairgrounds
October 11 Bushwacker Pr.
October 12 Comstock Pr.
October 14 Prairie State Park —– Prairie Jubilee
SOUTH LEG:
September 23 Southwest City
September 27 Seneca Schools
September 30 George Washington Carver Monument
October 4 Diamond Prairie
October 7 Joplin
October 13 Shawnee Trail CA
October 14 Prairie State Park —– Prairie Jubilee